Newsletter
Catch up on this month's activity on the Scottish Mentoring Network website. Click the headlines to read more...
Latest News
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“At the Mentoring Summit in Leeuwarden in the Netherlands last month Scottish Mentoring Network was invited to present a workshop on our work and, in particular, on how our Project Quality Award helped members demonstrate to stakeholders, including funders and policy makers, the high level of quality at which they are operating. Our invitation to present at the conference had come about following our participation in a two year European Mentoring and Befriending Project (EMBEP) in 2014 and 2015. The lead partner from Berlin had recommended to the Summit organisers that SMN should be asked to take part.
The event attracted delegates from across Europe and from the USA and it was very interesting in speaking to a wide range of project managers and co-ordinators to learn that they felt SMN and its members were well ahead of other European countries in a number of areas. There appears to be no other country which has a truly national membership organisation supporting so many member organisations and none has a nationally recognised Project Quality Award. Many delegates wanted to find out more about how SMN was able to work with the Scottish Government and other national organisations on the use of mentoring to support policy initiatives to help improve outcomes particularly for disadvantaged (young) people.
It was encouraging to learn that our work is appreciated in areas beyond Scotland and Lars Hombloe from Denmark even publicised our work on his Twitter feed earlier this month. Our growing reputation would not be possible if it were not for the very many excellent projects undertaken by members of SMN which we can use as examples of good practice. Several of our members made a very valuable contribution to the workshops in the EMBEP project and were able to exchange experiences with colleagues in other countries. Our priority is always to support our members in Scotland but it is really interesting to be able to share experiences with others outwith Scotland."
Iain Forbes, Strategic Development Manager, SMN 27 April
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Congratulations to Tayside Council on Alcohol on its receipt of two awards for its work across the criminal and community justice sectors in Tayside.
The Tayside Community Justice Authority Awards scheme recognises the effort of practitioners across the criminal and community justice sectors in Tayside who deliver consistency, effort, commitment, achievement and performance throughout the year.
Tayside Council on Alcohol received the following two awards:
- Working in Partnership Award for Dundee for the TCA Dundee Mentoring for Men Service and Dundee Criminal Justice Mentoring for Men Service
- Local Champion Perth & Kinross for Amanda McCabe, (OWLS and TCA), Perth & Kinross
The awards scheme is open to all workers in private, public or voluntary sector bodies delivering criminal or community justice services to offenders, victims or the public, in Tayside and may also be awarded to those who have benefited from those services. The Awards are intended to recognise work at all levels and acknowledge good work, consistency, effort, achievement, innovation and excellence, which has contributed to the delivery of effective outcomes, performance, and good practice, in Tayside. 26 April
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MCR Pathways, which provides adult mentors for children who have experience of the care system, has announced a new partnership with housing and care provider The Wheatley Group.
The company is the latest to sign up to encourage staff to become mentors, joining businesses and public bodies such as Glasgow Life, Strathclyde University, Santander, Glasgow Kelvin College, the SECC and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
As well as providing mentors, The Wheatley Group will head up a new scheme 'Talent Tasters' which is a form of work experience designed to gently introduce pupils to aspects of life in the workplace. Pupils will start at entry-level jobs for a half day / shift, moving on to the next level with a team leader, supervisor or specialist for an hour and a third level the head of an organisation.
Wheatley and MCR will also work to ensure that young people can access Housing information through specialists who will visit schools to make sure young people understand their rights and ensure support is accessible when needed. 25 April
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Generations Working Together is delighted to announce the programme for its Highlands & Islands Conference taking place on Friday 29th April from 10.30am – 3.30pm in the Centre for Health Science, Old Perth Road; Inverness IV2 3JH.
There will be a fantastic array of presenters and workshops who will give an inspiring insight into intergenerational work taking place across Scotland. Representation from the UK Government will give a UK picture on where intergenerational work sits within priorities. So far the two confrimed speakers are Dr Paul Monaghan MP (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) & Angus Hardy, Director of the Scottish Community Alliance.
There are six workshops for delegates to choose from detailed below, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Workshops will showcase successful intergenerational projects, give information & advice for using an intergenerational approach and help build further successful projects across the country. 22 April
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Lochaber Hope will shortly be moving to new premises and aim to increase resources, develop / streamline services delivered and as result is now recruiting a Project Co-ordinator to assist in the management of Lochaber Hope.
The post will initially be a 3 year, fixed term contract; thereafter the post will depend on generated income and project development. The role is full time, but suitable for job share or 2 part-time posts, and will be based in Fort William, with occasional travel within the Highlands. As such, a full, clean driving license and access to a car will be necessary.
The main purpose of the role is to co-ordinate the day to day running of Lochaber Hope. Other duties will include: overseeing staff and volunteers, maintaining and updating financial and monitoring records/systems and policies, networking with other organisations and maintain and build excellent relationships, working closely with the manager to develop the growth of Lochaber Hope’s service delivery, and marketing. 19 April
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Have you used research to make a difference for children, families or personal relationships? If so then you may wish to apply for the Evelyn Gillan Impact Prize and attend the final day of the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR) international conference on 15 June 2016.
CRFR is proud to be awarding a Prize for families and relationships research that has influenced the lives of children, families, or households, in memory of its late colleague Evelyn Gillan (1959-2015). This prize is supported by the Scottish Government.
Who should enter?
Applications are invited from individuals, groups and organisations who have effectively used research to improve the situation for children or families or to address issues in personal relationships. Applicants can be from the academic, public and voluntary sectors and an overall impact prize and two runner-up prizes will be awarded. Judging will be by a mixed panel of policy-makers, practitioners and academics.
Full details on how to apply can be found here. The deadline for submitting applications is 12 noon on Monday 16 May 2016.
The prize will be presented at the final day of the CRFR International Conference on 15 June 2016 at the John McIntyre Conference Centre in Edinburgh. Further information on the conference can be found here. 14 April
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Tollcross YMCA is currently recruiting a number of Youthworks Mentors to help young people who are working in their first job. Youthworks mentoring is a YMCA Scotland mentoring support programme for young people aged 16 - 25 engaged in short-term employment training programmes including Community Jobs Scotland (CJS).
The programme provides support through a 12 week group programme (outside of regular working hours) and 1:1 support from a peer mentor. Peer mentoring is offered for between 3 and 8 months and is aimed at supporting yound people as they move on from employment training programmes or CJS into employment or further education.
Volunteer mentors will be asked to give 1 to 2 hours per week of their time to preovide employment and general advice on workplace issues. Mentors will receive 12 hours of training, 3 hours during the evening for 4 weeks, which will cover registration to PVG scheme and for volunteering awards opportunities. 14 April
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A new manifesto has been launches by YMCA Scotland calling on politicians from all parties to consider the needs of young people, the future generation.
The manifesto titled, 'We Believe' which draws on the experience and opinions of young people across the country, highlights five key areas for change: Education, Skills and Training; Children and Families; Youth Justice; Health and Wellbeing; Youth Work Provision.
Recommendations made in the manifesto, range from a need to offer young people a better future through appropriate training, job options and careers advice through to a call for the Scottish Government to protect youth work services that play a vital role in empowering young people to achieve their fullest potential.
Kerry Reilly, Chief Executive of YMCA Scotland said: "As young people aged 16 and 17 prepare to vote in the Scottish Parliamentary elections for the first time, the YMCA is committed to working with others across Scotland to ensure that the voice of our young people is heard. YMCA stands ready to work in partnership with local and national government in Scotland to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive." 11 April
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Events28 September 2016, Out of the Blue, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG | 27-28 October 2016, Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1UZ | 17 November 2016, The Trade's Hall, Glasgow | 08-09 February 2017, SCVO Training Room, Hayweight House, Edinburgh | 23 March 2017, Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue, 16 St Marys Street, EH1 1SU | 03-04 April 2017, Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1UZ | 22 June 2017, The Salutation Hotel, 34 South Street, Perth, PH2 8P | 9 August 2017, Edinburgh Napier (Sighthill Campus) | 13 September 2017, Ayrshire College, Kilmarnock Campus, Hill Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 3HY | 10 October 2017, ACOSVO, Thorn House, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PR | 11-12 December 2017, Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1UZ | 31 January 2018, Dundee University, Dalhousie Building Block 1, ground floor room 6 (1G06) , 75 Old Hawkhill, Dundee DD1 5EN | 22 March 2018, AK Bell Library, Sandeman Room, 2-8 York Place, Perth. PH2 8EP | 27 March 2018, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness College, 1 Inverness Campus, IV2 5NA | 9 May 2018, Ayrshire College, Kilmarnock Campus, Hill Street, Kilmarnock, KA1 3HY | 23 May 2018, YMCA Edinburgh, The Acorn Centre, 1 Junction Place, EH6 5JA | 25 September 2018, DYW Perth & Kinross, Saltire House 3 Whitefriars Crescent, Perth PH2 0PA | 6 November 2018, St Paul's and St George's Church, Edinburgh | 28 January 2019, 10am - 1pm, 51 Wilson Street, Brunswick House, Glasgow, G1 1UZ | 05-06 February 2019, Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1UZ | 28 February 2019, 11am -1pm , Centre Stage, Kilmarnock Academy, 15 Elmbank Drive, Kilmarnock, KA1 3BS. | 19 March 2019, 11am - 2pm, Financial Conduct Authority, Quayside House, 127 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QG | 22 May 2019, Link Academy, McKinven House, George Street, Falkirk, FK2 7EY | 28 May 2019, 10:30am -2:30pm Motherwell Concert Hall, Windmillhill St, Motherwell ML1 1AB | 12 June 2019, DC Thomson, 2 Albert Square, Dundee, DD1 1DD | 7 August 2019 | 27 August 2019, 10:30am - 1:30pm Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, 20 Dumbreck Rd, Glasgow, G41 5BW | 2 September 2019, 11am-2pm, Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue, 16 St Mary's St, Edinburgh EH1 1SU | 13 November 2019, St Paul's & St George's Church, 46 York Place, Edinburgh | 28 November 2019, 4th Floor, Hayweight House, 23 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DQ | 4 December 2019, 11am-1:30pm YMCA Edinburgh, The Acorn Centre, 1 Junction Place, EH6 5JA | 24 January 2020, 10:30am- 2pm Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow,G11UZ | 29 January 2020, Old College Building, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 HG | 5 March 2020, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew St, Glasgow G2 3DB, 10:30am -2:pm | 19-20 March 2020, Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1UZ | 23 March 2020, The Barracks, Stirling | 27 March 2020, Brunswick House, 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow G1 1UZ | 20 May 2020, Online Zoom (11am-1pm) | 2 July 2020, Zoom | 12 August 2020, Zoom | 9 September 2020, Zoom | 30 September 2020, Zoom | 14 October 2020, Zoom | 11 November 2020, Zoom | 3 December 2020 | 8 December 2020, Zoom | 20 January 2021, Zoom | 3 February 2021, Zoom | 19 February 2021, Zoom | 18 March 2021, Zoom | 21 April 2021, Zoom | 20 May 2021, Zoom | 22 June 2021, Zoom | 25 August 2021, Zoom | 21 September 2021, Zoom | 27 October 2021, Zoom | 8 December 2021, Zoom | 26 January 2022, Zoom | 22 March 2022, Zoom | 19 May 2022, Zoom | 22 September 2022, Zoom | 27 October 2022, The Studio, 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 6AE | 14 December 2022, Zoom | 19 January 2023, Zoom | 28 April 2023, Zoom | 30 June 2023, Zoom | 7 September 2023, Zoom | 25 October 2023, The Studio, Glasgow | 19 January 2024, Zoom | 26 March 2024, Zoom |
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